Recovery from Mental Illness

Recovery from Mental Illness

Successful recovery from a mental illness is a process that involves self-care (learning about the condition and the treatments that are available); social support (the emotional and practical support of peers, family members, and the university community); and engaging in treatment with a professional. One of the potential tragedies of mental illness is that many people do not make use of these proven treatments.

Early intervention can also greatly increase the chances of a positive outcome, and youth represent a particularly important demographic to approach. According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, over 70 percent of adults with a mental illness report that their symptoms emerged before they had reached the age of 18.